VIDEO: Army/Navy store in Oberlin closing after 16 years

OBERLIN -- To be a business owner requires two things: optimism and a little insanity, according to Dave Parsh. For the past 16 years, Parsh has been relying on those two things to run Dave's Army/Navy store in downtown Oberlin. But come Aug. 31, the store will be closing its doors due to a number of outside factors, with the economy being the main culprit. Liquidation sales are slated to begin Thursday.

"Unfortunately, a lot of people are close to the same situation. We were able to dodge the economy and beat the odds to some extent," Parsh said.

A graduate of Kent State University, Parsh, 50, has always had a liking for retail he said. For seven years, Parsh worked for Kmart Corp. in California, before returning to Ohio and working at an army and navy store in Ashtabula for two years. But like any true retail worker with an entrepreneurial spirit, Parsh wanted to start his own store.

"I always wanted to have my own business. I had a knack for retail. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed talking to people," he said.

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And on Aug. 1, 1994, Parsh got the keys that he'd been waiting for -- the keys to his storefront at 29 S. Main St.

"It's been a great place to work. I've been blessed with this lifestyle," Parsh said.

One of the greatest joys of running his own store, he added, was the flexibility it allowed for family time. It allowed Parsh and his wife of 23 years, Lynne, who also helped run the store, to be able to go to their three children's schools for meetings, plays and games.

"I've raised three kids in that store. I can remember my youngest daughter there sleeping on her little pink blanket," he said.

Whether growing up in the store, or working in the store, all three of the Parsh children -- Brendon, 21, Kayla, 18, and Sarah, 12 -- have been involved with the store in some way. It was also one of their father's biggest dreams to be able to pass the store onto them one day.

"With people losing their jobs, it's nice to have something to fall back on and to have the option to run the family business," Parsh said.

But now he and his family will have to fall back on something else--something else that at the moment Parsh isn't too sure about. One thing Parsh does know is that the store will maintain its web presence, but like many organizations, finding out how to make a profit online will prove to be the store owner's next feat.

"We've been online since the '90s, and we hope to continue to focus on that. I think the brand still has value and our reputation is in tact. It's just figuring out the online avenue," he said.

But even so, closing the store has proved to be difficult decision for Parsh. From the flexibility to the many people he's met over the years, he says he's going to miss every aspect of running Dave's Army/Navy store.

"It's sort of crushing--like losing a family member and you're pulling the plug. But it's time to move on, I guess. Hopefully, I find something to apply my skills to," he said.